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Over 20 years ago, United Way of Central Jersey recognized that many volunteers active in the Central Jersey community were not being recognized. This event was started to enable the community to celebrate and thank the neighbors who care about helping other people: our Hometown Heroes. |
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Outstanding Group of Student Volunteers
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Outstanding Student Volunteer |
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Outstanding Family Volunteers |
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Outstanding Groups of Volunteers |
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Outstanding Individual Volunteers |
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Outstanding Lifetime of Volunteer Service
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Outstanding Group of Student Volunteers
WINNER
Name: Student Government Organization
Nominated by: Sidney Dawson, North Brunswick High School Social Studies Teacher, North Brunswick Twp H.S.
For the past year, a group of 25 North Brunswick High School students, known as the Executive Board of the Student Government Organization (SGO), has volunteered over 100 hours to develop and run many school and community-based programs. They led an orientation for students transitioning from middle school to high school, ran two annual blood drives, collecting over 400 units of blood, raised funds through a school charity to donate to the American Cancer Society and ran a food drive collecting over 400 food items for families in need. “They serve as outstanding examples for other students.”
WINNER
Note: These are two separate groups being honored for the same volunteer opportunity.
Name: Powder Puff Players & the
Nominated by Venus Majeski, NJ Institute East Brunswick H.S. Football Team for Disabilities/Cerebral Palsy of Middlesex County
The East Brunswick High School Football Team and Powder Puff Players have volunteered their time to connect with students at the NJ Institute for Disabilities’ Lakeview School. They spent one-on-one time together with the students, playing recreational activities and leading other games and crafts. They also have used this experience as a way to create greater awareness about persons with disabilities. “The players come away with new respect and understanding of disabilities which they carry on to their own classmates, friends and families.”
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Outstanding Student Volunteer
WINNER
Name: Elisabeth Landis
Nominated by: Jean Stockdale, Who Is My Neighbor? Inc.
For the past two years, Elisabeth Landis has volunteered approximately 75 hours to the Buddy Ball program in Highland Park, which pairs volunteers with special needs children to play games and enhance their skills. Elisabeth has served as a buddy to these children with special needs, has managed parts of the program, such as taking care of equipment, keeping track of permission slips, serving as a greeter and honoring volunteers with certificates. She has also been a leader in recruiting other volunteers from her middle school, handing out flyers, making speeches and getting teachers as well as her principal involved. Beyond these efforts, Elisabeth has personally donated $13,000 – all of her Bat Mitzvah gifts – to the program.
WINNER
Name: Gina Mancini
Nominated by: Karen Goldberg, Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center
For the past three years, Gina Mancini has volunteered as part of the Junior Committee of Young Leaders for the Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center. As a leader for a number of fundraisers, including the 2009 Bowl-a-thon and 2010 & 2011 Dance-a-thons, Gina personally raised over $12,000 for children with special needs. She also volunteered directly with the children, serving as a sidewalker and horse leader during their riding lessons, as well as inspiring other students to help volunteer their time. Because of her efforts she has made it possible for many families to benefit, “who otherwise could not afford to send their special needs child to Special Strides for therapy.”
WINNER
Name: Ian Friedman
Nominated by: Leslie Szukles, East Brunswick High School
Over his high school years, Ian Friedman has volunteered approximately 175 hours of his time to a number of different causes, “giving freely of his time in a variety of service to others.” Ian helped seniors learn to use computers, delivered clothing to the homeless in New York City, became a companion for people in nursing homes by playing games and singing songs, served meals at Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen and raised money to fight breast cancer through Race for the Cure. Ian has also volunteered at a local shelter, serving as an overnight supervisor.
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Outstanding Family Volunteers
WINNER
Name: Eleanor & Robert Stocker
Nominated by: Theodore Foley, President, Community of Hope Ministries
Eleanor and Bob Stocker have volunteered approximately 80 hours each month for the past four years at the Community of Hope Ministries. Working with the food pantry, Eleanor and Bob have transported food donations, stocked shelves, organized weekly community dinners and maintained various state and federal forms. Their dedication to this program “helps hundreds of people in Spotswood and the surrounding communities meet their monthly expenses and fill a potential nutrition gap.”
WINNER
Name: Shari & Scott Tepper
Nominated by: Laurie Landy, Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center
During the winter of 2010 – 2011, Shari and Scott Tepper developed, organized and successfully ran a fundraiser to benefit two organizations dedicated to helping children with autism and other special needs: Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center and the Best Day Foundation. Their bowling event, “Ari’s Army – Autism STRIKE!” raised approximately $12,000. These funds will be incorporated into the Stephen Werthan Memorial Fund, providing financial assistance for 77 children with special needs.
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Outstanding Groups of Volunteers
WINNER
Name: North Brunswick High School
Nominated by: Pete Clark, Principal, Parent-Teacher-Student Organization North Brunswick Township High School
The Parent-Teacher-Student Organization of North Brunswick High School volunteered approximately 200 hours throughout the year. They developed student events such as Project Graduation, College Night, Defense & Rape Awareness for Women and ACT/SAT practice programs, to name a few. Their dedication “contributes to the enrichment of the students’ educational experience and their social development into mature, responsible adults.”
WINNER
Name: Favor Cares
Nominated by: Cindy Foster, Favor Ministries
The Favor Cares group volunteered approximately 65 hours this past year. They volunteered at the Favor Ministries’ pantry, providing food, clothing, toys and winter coats. They also raised funds for a projected called “Street Team Transport” to purchase a vehicle so these donations could be brought directly to those in need. Beyond this, they “go out of their way in helping Favor Ministries’ attendees to recognize and understand that they are valued.”
WINNER
Name: Love Your Neighbor Outreach
Nominated by: Jennifer Krushinski, Acting Director, Office on Aging
Love Your Neighbor Outreach was a volunteer effort led in part by Michael DeRisi in October 2010. During this one-day event, volunteers assisted with home maintenance and repairs, including yard work, painting, plumbing and roof and bathroom repairs for families in need. They not only gave of their skills and trades, but also trained young men and Boy Scouts how to make such repairs as well.
WINNER
Name: Renovation House
Nominated by: Wilda Diaz, Mayor, City of Perth Amboy
Renovation House, led by Reverend Paul Sears, has volunteered extensive hours over the past year to enhance the Perth Amboy community. They have participated in a waterfront cleanup project, assisted senior citizens with home maintenance and repairs, constructed a playground at the Raritan Bay Area YMCA, helped to coordinate annual events for local public and non-profit agencies and ran a soup kitchen called Love, Thy Neighbor. They have also provided inspirational and education lectures to local youth, as well as spiritual counseling to adults struggling with sobriety.
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Outstanding Individual Volunteers
WINNER
Name: Jeffery Cooper
Nominated by: Jeanette Nadonley, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen
For more than a decade, Jeffery Cooper has volunteered in many capacities, such as being a firefighter, a basketball and baseball coach, the president of the recreation department and a part of the local high school booster club. His latest volunteer role is as a mentor for the Connections program through Catholic Charities. Over the past year, Jeffery has been matched with a young boy, whom he has exposed to many recreational, cultural and education events.
WINNER
Name: Faith Miller
Nominated by: Sheri Burkat, Voices of September 11th
Over the past nine years, Faith Miller has volunteered extensively with Voices of September 11th. She has served as a leader, directing events and coordinating fundraisers, an outreach and public relations coordinator, a president for the Orchard Hill Home Owners’ Association and a family advisory committee member to help organize a memorial. She has also inspired others. “Her strength, resilience and effective coping skills have helped to lead many other families to a path of support and healing.”
WINNER
Name: Anita Clavering
Nominated by: Judy Cusumano, Middlesex County Department of Human Services
Anita Clavering has volunteered approximately 400 hours over the past decade with various Middlesex County Department of Human Services initiatives, including the Middlesex County Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the NJ Transit ADA Task Force, the Chuck Costello Complex Tenants Association, the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) Committee, the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ, and Citizens Action. As an advocate for persons with disabilities, Anita has surveyed locations for accessibility, wrote op-ed articles, spoke out at public forums and provided information to tenets about disability-related issues.
WINNER
Name: Frank St. Marie
Nominated by: Trombetta Pasquale
Over the years, Frank St. Marie has volunteered in many capacities in the Woodbridge area. He has served on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, the Woodbridge Township Planning Board and the Middlesex County AARP President’s Committee. Frank has chaired the Hand-in-Hand event, the restoration of the Woodbridge Township Health Center Atrium, as well as the NJ Senior Olympics since 2007. He has also been involved with the Handicap Children’s Committee, helped to found the Woodbridge Senior’s Billiards Club and was a president of the AARP Woodbridge chapter.
WINNER
Name: Jacob Stockl
Nominated by: Carol Palmer, First Presbyterian Church of Avenel
Over the past 15 years, Jacob Stockl has volunteered many hours to the First Presbyterian Church of Avenel. He serves as the Food Pantry Coordinator, stocking shelves, shopping for food, coordinating any necessary paperwork and managing pickups and deliveries. He has also involved youth in volunteering, helping one child in particular receive the Eagle Scout and Mayor’s Youth Awards. Among other volunteer efforts, Jake also delivers Meals on Wheels and plays in two musical groups, “All Thumbs” and “George & Jake” which both raise money for the church, as well as other organizations.
WINNER
Name: Ruth Hague
Nominated by: Lynn Kelly, Coordinator of Professional Training, Women Aware, Inc.
Over the past three years, Ruth Hague has volunteered approximately 700 hours at Women Aware. Volunteering as a legal advocate, Ruth has supported clients with court accompaniment, intervention, safety planning and securing temporary restraining orders. Her efforts have helped provide services to over 2,500 victims. With her volunteer efforts, more clients are served in Family Court, and are “aware of domestic violence services and legal options” available to them.
WINNER
Name: Paul Zelanko
Nominated by: Raymond Eppinger, Mayor, Borough of South River
Volunteering over 500 hours this past year, Paul Zelanko has led a number of initiatives and events in the South River area. He has served as President to the South River Board of Health, helped to manage food distribution for the South River Food Bank, organized packages to send to military troops through the South River Operation RAM, revitalized the annual South River Frost on the Pumpkin race to benefit local handicap and special needs children, helped organize the South River Health and Wellness Fair and served as a member of the South River Environmental and Shade Tree Commission. “Paul is one of the reasons that make South River the great community it is.”
WINNER
Name: Jacob Lepiarz
Nominated by: Ann Geller, Development Director, Making it Possible to End Homelessness
Jacob Lepiarz has volunteered approximately 100 hours over the past year to the Making it Possible to End Homelessness organization. He helped to design their new website, distribute information, as well as secure sponsors and other volunteers to help the agency. He serves as an example to his peers, “letting them know that you can work, go to school, enjoy life and still have time to volunteer and make a difference.”
WINNER
Name: Geoffrey Goyette
Nominated by: Jay Elliot, Director of Health, Edison Department of Health & Human Services
In the past year, Geoffrey Goyette has volunteered over 1500 hours on behalf of animals in need. He volunteered at the Edison Animal Shelter, walking and doing behavioral assessments of dogs and went on to found the non-profit organization, Sammy’s Hope, dedicated to animal adoption. He visits Highland Park Library and the Edison Senior Center with his therapy dog “Belle”, financially supports and secures donations for the animal shelter, and works with local teens to help them become or continue their volunteering interests.
WINNER
Name: William Ojeda
Nominated by: Pete Clark, Principal, North Brunswick Township High School
William Ojeda has volunteered his time to inspire the students he teaches, as well as others in his district. In order to teach his high school students the importance of going the extra mile in the classroom, he dedicates his time after school to running one mile for each of his 120 students. Also, during his lunch and free time, he visits the local elementary schools dressed as the “Black Knight” to not only teach the students about chivalry from the Middle Ages, but also about “modern day knights who should be honored and respected…teachers, police offices, firemen and military men and women.”
WINNER
Name: Patricia Johnson
Nominated by: Diana Schultz, Volunteer Coordinator, Catholic Charities
Over the past 4 years, Patricia Johnson has volunteered approximately 900 hours through Catholic Charities as a companion and food shopper for two senior citizens. Given her close relationship with these seniors, Pat has been able to alert Catholic Charities about their needs, which has helped them be connected with more extensive services. Pat has made it possible for these seniors to continue living independently.
WINNER
Name: Ruth Loeffler
Nominated by: Barry Smith, Youth Empowerment Services
Over the past two years, Ruth Loeffler has volunteered as a tutor for Youth Empowerment Services. In addition to tutoring the students, she recognized the need for advanced materials for the NJASK testing and developed practice packages for them. Because of her involvement, “the students’ grades continue to rise…and each student is able to reach their highest potential.”
WINNER
Name: Alice Ryan
Nominated by: Theodore Foley, President, Community of Hope Ministries
For the past two and half years, Alice Ryan has volunteered approximately 600 hours to the Community of Hope Ministries. Serving as a program manager, she oversaw the weekly Community Fellowship Supper, making it possible to serve 7,000 meals annually. Alice also has volunteered as an executive director, where she managed a network of about 60 volunteers each month, networked with other organizations in the community and secured donations and grants. Alice is “directly responsible for Community of Hope’s success in its ministries.”
WINNER
Name: Inda Trujillo
Nominated by: Terri Knoblock, Community Child Care Solutions, Diocese of Metuchen
Over the past three years, Inda Trujillo has volunteered as a Perth Amboy Domestic Violence Response Team Member where she assists survivors of domestic violence by helping them cope and understand their options. Inda also serves as a peer leader for the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, where she is trained in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program designed to better assist people with chronic illnesses. Beyond these efforts, she has inspired those around her to “be better people and give back to their communities.”
WINNER
Name: Marge Reedy
Nominated by: South Plainfield High School
Marge Reedy has volunteered to help South Plainfield High School students be recognized for their academic achievements. This has led to a number of students receiving monetary awards, among other forms of recognition, for their accomplishments. Marge has also helped South Plainfield High School by developing the school’s Alumni Directory.
WINNER
Name: Cheryl Underwood
Nominated by: William Oatman, Living Water Family Outreach
Cheryl Underwood volunteers 20 hours each week as a coordinator for Living Water Family Outreach. Cheryl oversees the distribution of food, diapers, health products and clothing to families and senior citizens in need. She also provides spiritual guidance as part of this ministry. She “creatively works with a limited budget…and inspires mostly everyone that comes into contact with her.”
WINNER
Name: Josephine Liotta
Nominated by: Rizpah Corley
Over the years, Josephine Liotta has volunteered in many capacities. She has served as a Committee Woman for Ward 6 and as a clerk for the Democratic Association and Polls. Josephine has also volunteered as a companion at Willow Creek, regularly caring for people who need special care, and every month assists at Park Home, helping out in any way she can. At the New Brunswick Senior Center she is a pen pal with local second grade children, developed a Bocci Ball team and organizes other sporting events, serves on the Advisory Board and assists with front desk duties.
WINNER
Name: Aparna Agrawal
Nominated by: Jagdish Vasudev United Way of Central Jersey
Over the past several years, Aparna Agrawal has passionately volunteered her time to a number of different children and youth initiatives. She has supported Kipp Charter School, volunteered as a role model and companion to struggling teenage girls through Girls Inc. and served as a team captain assisting Public School #7 in Brooklyn, painting inspiration murals, organizing and revitalizing the school library and raising over $1,000 in donations. Aparna also organized a toy drive for St. Peter’s University – Children’s Hospital, collecting over 100 toys for children in need.
WINNER
Name: Sue Magod
Nominated by: Imthiaz Azeez United Way of Central Jersey
Sue volunteered to help prepare materials for Campaign presentations, training materials for Board Members who made corporate client presentations and interviewed clients who shared their success stories. Sue brings years of teaching and journalism experience to her volunteer effort and is a valuable member of the Resource Development Team.
WINNER
Name: Don Bingaman
Nominated by: Imthiaz Azeez United Way of Central Jersey
Don worked closely with United Way staff to help enter information into the Resource Development database. The information he entered as well as his reorganization of the filing system was invaluable to track our donors and prepare essential United Way Worldwide reports.
WINNER
Name: Sandette Raysor
Nominated by: Dennis Kucmyda, Catholic Charities – Ozanam Family Shelter
During the past year, Sandette Raysor volunteered over 100 hours at various events and initiatives led by Catholic Charities’ Ozanam Family Shelter, including donation collections, a dinner-dance and a BBQ. Aside from her direct service, Sandette has had an impact on the families participating in the programs. She has “inspired others to do more and reach within themselves…. You can see the children and adults of our program strive harder to succeed to make things better for their families after meeting with Sandette.”
WINNER
Name: George Philip
Nominated by: Claudia Yurecko, Coordinator, Project S.P.A.N.
During the past seven years, George Philip has volunteered over 1300 hours as a mentor for Project S.P.A.N. (The Supportive Parent Aide Network). He connected with two different families, each with children in need of one-on-one support in order to meet their goals. George exposed the children he mentored to countless educational, cultural, recreational and charitable events. He is also recognized as having played a role in helping the children achieve educational success, such as reading at grade level, being inducted into the Junior National Honor Society, and ultimately graduating high school.
WINNER
Name: Franklin Geeng
Nominated by: United Way of Central Jersey
For the past seven months, Franklin Geeng has volunteered hundreds of hours for the United Way of Central Jersey. Franklin has made himself available to assist in any way he is needed, including administrative duties, data entry as well as tax preparation, where he served as a VITA volunteer. He has been a great help in advancing the United Way mission and is honored as a UWCJ Century Club Volunteer for his hours of service.
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Outstanding Lifetime of Volunteer Service
WINNER
Name: Harriet Hershenov
Nominated by: Mary Tarrant, Department of Human Services, Office of Children’s Services
Over the years, Harriet has volunteered in many capacities in the Middlesex County area. Harriet has served on or chaired over a dozen committees, covering topics such as education, housing, human rights, mental health, special education, minority issues and child welfare services. She has served as a Democratic Committeewoman, served on the South Brunswick Board of Education, Domestic Violence Response Team and Kendall Park First Aid Squad, and has also been a board member for the NAACP and the Earth Life Learning Center. “She is a leader….and an inspiration to others.”
WINNER
Name: Mary Graham
Nominated by: Margie Dove, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Missionary Ministry
For almost 30 years, Mary (Mother) Graham has volunteered countless hours to the Tabernacle Baptist Church ministries. She feeds 20-30 families each week, visits nursing homes each month, providing both companionship and spiritual guidance to seniors, organizes food, clothing and toy drives over the holidays and runs an annual family & friends day and mother & daughter luncheon through the church. Mother Graham has also counseled younger ministers’ wives on how to become leaders through ministry. She is “responsive to others in her church community and in the larger community…and never hesitates to respond.”
WINNER
Name: Debbie Drucker
Nominated by: Cathy Nicola, North Brunswick Township Councilwoman
Over the past 13 years, Debbie Drucker has volunteered approximately 20,000 hours to the North Brunswick community. Debbie has served as a Girl Scout Troop and Unit Leader, mentoring over 200 young girls and connecting them with many community events and programs. She has also served as a C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) Coordinator and Trainer, Domestic Violence Coordinator for the North Brunswick Domestic Violence Team, Committee Member for the North Brunswick Abilities Council, a participant in the Vagina Monologues for Women Aware, as well as a tutor for children in need. Beyond these efforts, Debbie is “always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, an ear to listen and her heart to give.”
WINNER
Name: George Guise
Nominated by: Roland Salluce & Andrew Visokay, Milltown Fire Department
For over the past 60 years, George (Grandpa) Guise has volunteered as part of the Milltown Fire Department. George has served on almost every committee within the department and held almost every position within the company. He is always willing to offer his expertise, even mentor department members when needed. George’s efforts “protect the people and property of his beloved hometown…Milltown.”
WINNER
Name: Carl Christensen
Nominated by: Kevin Wertz, President, Iselin Volunteer Fire Company No. 1
For over 50 years, Carl Christensen has volunteered his time to the greater Iselin community in the way of fire safety and prevention. Carl has served in many positions through the Iselin Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Fire District 9, the Iselin Firemen’s Relief Association, the Iselin-Colonia and NJ Exempt Firemen’s Association, the NJ Firemen’s Home, the NJ Fire and Emergency Services Institute, the NJ Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association and the Woodbridge Township Fire Officers Association. Beyond these efforts, Carl is also associated with a number of Middlesex County and Central Jersey associations.
WINNER
Name: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Nominated by: United Way of Central (VITA) Program Volunteers Jersey
Dominic Armino
Franklin Geeng
Susila Jonnalagedda
Adalgisa Plasencia
Charmaine Rodriguez
Meenu Sharma
Oscar Villarreal
Inessa Zaltsberg
Anthony Zecca
Schedulers:
Patricia Desiderio
Carol Nagy (Magyar Bank)
Janet Molina (Highland Park Senior Center)
Jeanne Selby (North Brunswick Senior Housing)
Rajashree Venkatraman (New Brunswick Senior Center)
Tania Rodriguez (Jewish Renaissance Foundation)
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| Congratulations to all the 2011 Hometown Heroes for making a difference in their community. Thank you to the members of the United Way of Central Jersey Volunteer Services Advisory Group who worked so hard to review and evaluate all the nominations for this year’s Hometown Heroes awards. |
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Copyright © 2004 United Way of Central Jersey. All rights reserved. |
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